Gagne’s Streak Is Snakebit

It figured to happen eventually because Eric Gagne is only human and perfection isn’t part of his job description.

So after providing countless thrilling moments in a high-wire act that had already lasted longer than anyone could have expected, Gagne finally had an off night while suffering his first blown save after a major league-record run.

The All-Star closer’s phenomenal streak ended at 84 in a row Monday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks scored twice against Gagne in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium.

A crowd of 32,929 watched in stunned silence as the National League West’s last-place team broke through against the Dodgers’ seemingly impenetrable wall, rallying from a 5-3 deficit to tie the score and force extra innings on Luis Gonzalez’s run-scoring double and Chad Tracy’s well-placed run-scoring grounder, both hits coming with one out in the inning.

Gagne, who obliterated the previous record of 54 consecutive saves, took it in stride as the Diamondbacks bookended the streak that propelled him to stardom.

“I had fun,” said Gagne, who has suffered three of his five career blown saves against Arizona, including his previous one before beginning the streak Aug. 26, 2002, also at Dodger Stadium.

“Everybody says you have to be real lucky. I was real lucky for a long time. It just came to an end.”

The Dodgers remained alert amid the surreal development as Giovanni Carrara delivered a Gagne-like performance after reliving Tom Martin in the 10th with runners on second and third and one out.

In only his second appearance since being recalled from triple-A Las Vegas, Carrara (1-0) struck out Scott Hairston and escaped the jam when Shea Hillenbrand fouled out to catcher David Ross on a bunt attempt.

Shawn Green made sure the Dodgers didn’t suffer another letdown after they loaded the bases in the inning against Brandon Villafuerte (0-3). Green hit the first pitch from left-hander Randy Choate, sending a towering fly ball to deep center field to easily drive in Dave Roberts, who singled to start the inning, with the winning run in the Dodgers’ third consecutive victory and fourth in five games.

Milton Bradley hit his ninth home run and Olmedo Saenz put the Dodgers ahead, 5-3, in the sixth with a two-out, pinch-hit, three-run homer, his second pinch-hit blast of the season and the Dodgers’ fourth.

The Dodgers (43-37) took the opener of a three-game series from Arizona (30-53) and pulled within a game of first-place San Diego in the division on a night Gagne was the biggest news for an unfamiliar reason.

“What he accomplished ... it’s unbelievable,” said Green, among those who hugged and congratulated Gagne on his return to the dugout after getting the final two outs in the ninth.

“It’s one of those records that will be with all the other huge records of baseball. Eighty-four consecutive saves will be a number people will remember. It’s something that wasn’t going to last forever, but it seemed like it would with the way he pitches.”

Said third baseman Adrian Beltre: “Sometimes we felt like it was never going to be broken, but things happen.”

The familiar scene in the ninth was comforting to the Dodgers and their fans as “Welcome to the Jungle” blared on stadium speakers, the bullpen gates swung open and the major league’s most dominant closer jogged to the mound.

This time, however, things would be different.

“They got hits. It happens,” said Gagne, who had a 0.82 earned-run average and 141 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings during the streak. “I was lucky for two years. It came to an end because they’re great hitters, and you have to give them credit.”

After striking out Hairston to start the inning, Gagne jumped ahead against Hillenbrand, 0 and 2. Hillenbrand got a curveball that he sent into center for the Diamondbacks’ first hit.

“I just tried to throw a curveball and it didn’t come down, it just stayed up in the zone,” said Gagne, who has converted 128 of 133 save opportunities and needs one save to tie Jeff Shaw for the all-time franchise record.

“I’ve been throwing that for a first-pitch strike, and I thought I was going to throw the same one, but he stayed back real well.”

Said Hillenbrand: “I just went up there relaxed and tried to give myself a chance.”

Gonzalez hit for pitcher Mike Koplove. On a 2-and-2 count, Gonzalez doubled to deep right on a changeup to drive in Hillenbrand. Tracy’s hit caused the Dodgers fits.

Tracy hit an 0-and-2 changeup to the right side, placing the ball perfectly while splitting first baseman Saenz, who remained in the game after hitting in the sixth, and second baseman Alex Cora. Gonzalez scored from second to halt Gagne’s streak and trigger a celebration in Arizona’s dugout.

“We were the last team to do something against him,” Gonzalez said, “so this was good for us.”

Said interim Manager Al Pedrique: “Breaking the streak was kind of nice. It shows that the players didn’t give up.”

The mood was definitely different on the other side of the field, as the Dodgers had witnessed something they knew would occur again, though they were nonetheless surprised it did because of Gagne’s dominance since being converted from a starter to a reliever two seasons ago.

The crowd realized the significance of Gagne’s accomplishment and their part in history, saluting Gagne with a rousing standing ovation when Gonzalez scored. Another ovation followed as Gagne walked off the field after Quinton McCracken and Juan Brito grounded out to end the inning, and Gagne reemerged from the dugout to take a curtain call.

“We just gave him a huge hug” when Gagne returned to the dugout, Manager Jim Tracy said. “You know something special has been taking place over the course of almost two seasons now when there’s a blown save and our fans ask for a curtain call after a blown save. How many times have you ever seen that happen?”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Save Streak

Breaking down Gagne’s 84 consecutive saves. How many saves came

WHEN HE STARTED THE LAST INNING

With one-run lead...31

With two-run lead...14

With three-run lead...20

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WHEN HE ENTERED IN THE NINTH INNING

Two out, tying run on deck...3

One out, tying run on deck...1

None out, tying run on deck...1

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WHEN HE ENTERED IN EIGHTH INNING

Two out, tying run on first...4

Two out, tying run on second...1

Two out, tying run on deck...3

Two out, tying run at the plate...6

-- Researched by Houston Mitchell

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Most Saves

Most consecutive save opportunities converted since 1988, when statistic became official. Before Monday, Eric Gagne’s last blown save had come against Arizona on Aug. 26, 2002:

*--* No. PLAYER, Team YEARS 84 ERIC GAGNE, Dodgers 2002-04 54 TOM GORDON, Boston 1998-99 41 ROD BECK, San Francisco 1993-95 41 TREVOR HOFFMAN, San Diego 1997-98 40 DENNIS ECKERSLEY, Oakland 1991-92

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